In every pro sports league, the franchise stars and cornerstones receive all the love and attention. But they only make up a small percentage of players. The NBA is no different.
The busy part of the offseason is over. Most rosters are set. This means the next couple of months will feature the slowest part of the NBA calendar. The free time allows for retrospect.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale ranked the five most underrated players in the league. The Oklahoma City Thunder had an entrant. Aaron Wiggins was ranked at the No. 1 spot.
“Repressed playing time could be a problem for many. Not Wiggins. He seldom seems like he’s struggling to find his rhythm, even when his shots aren’t falling. Some might even argue that his low-minutes bench role is responsible for his highest highs. It preserves his energy and manages his matchups at times. That’s somewhat fair, but it’s also something I’m not inclined to buy.
Oklahoma City routinely assigns Wiggins to red-carpet defensive assignments. He almost always holds his own. Good luck throwing an entry pass with him in the vicinity. He also has the shot-blocking instincts of a power forward…
Wiggins manages to deliver all of this in a package that’s not domineering. A smattering of his possessions can feel hijacky, but he’s for the most part adept at playing within the flow of Oklahoma City’s offense.”
The Thunder added a steal in Wiggins with the No. 55 pick of the 2021 NBA draft. He’s the lone player left from his OKC class. He recently signed a long-term deal with the Thunder that’s viewed as team-friendly.
Expect the 25-year-old to be a key rotation piece for the Thunder. He’s a backup wing that can spot-start when needed.
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